A hot bath can help with hypertension

Hypertension remains one of the most serious threats to the health of millions of adults worldwide, significantly increasing the risks to the heart and kidneys. Given that standard methods are not always available or sufficient, experts are looking for auxiliary ways to solve the problem. As it turned out, the ancient tradition of thermal springs and hammams has a solid physiological basis, comparable in effect to light physical activity.

The mechanism of action of such “passive training” is quite simple: under the influence of heat, blood vessels expand, and blood flow to the skin increases. This temporarily reduces the resistance in the arteries and makes the heart work more actively. A single session in water at a temperature of about 40 degrees can significantly improve the elasticity of the vascular wall, which is especially important for people whose activity is limited due to age or illness.

Long—term observations show that regular water procedures contribute to the production of nitric oxide, a natural vasodilator. In addition, the body begins to cope better with oxidative stress, and the nervous system goes into rest mode. The participants in the experiments who took baths for several weeks showed a steady decrease in resting blood pressure.

Interestingly, immersion in water provides other bonuses that are not available to regular tablets. Scientists have recorded an improvement in sleep quality, a reduction in stress levels and an overall strengthening of the psychological background. Hydrostatic water pressure helps the blood return to the heart better, which maintains a stable volume of pumped fluid even with active sweating.

Despite the optimistic conclusions, doctors urge caution. The water temperature is too high (above 42 degrees) it can be dangerous, especially for the elderly. The best option is to warm up to 39-40 degrees for half an hour. Such therapy should go hand in hand with physical activity and health monitoring under medical supervision.

In the future, more extensive checks will be needed to determine exactly who gets the best treatment from hot water. In the meantime, we can say for sure: a warm bath is an affordable and comfortable way to keep your blood vessels in good shape and give your body a well—deserved rest.